Should Congress provide annual state funding to improve election administration efficiency?
This bill would establish a program titled the "Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program" that will allocate funds to each state for "democracy promotion activities." These funds are meant to increase the efficiency in the administration of elections by updating voting equipment, expanding the availability of early and mail-in voting, retaining non-partisan election workers, and increasing access to minority communities. Each state must submit a plan by the 90th day of the fiscal year to receive funds. Funds will be distributed based on population. A year-end report must detail how these funds were allocated and the measure's effectiveness, which will be publicly available on the program’s website. The funds for this program will come from a 20 billion dollar trust fund to be used each year until 2033. This bill is a part of Williams’ seven-bill voting rights legislative package.
Sponsor: Rep. Nikema Williams (Democrat, Georgia, District 5)
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Opponents say
At the time of research and publication, no official opponent statements were found. This does not necessarily mean that nobody opposes the bill, nor does it mean that statements won’t be made in the future.
Proponents say
• "The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy. Not only should we protect the right to vote, but we should make the process as easy for registered voters as possible. Congresswoman Nikema William’s Voting Rights Package covers election funding to keep our elections secure and make sure election workers have the resources they need, language access, protections to ensure that mail-in ballots are received in a timely manner, ensuring that unhoused voters are not further disenfranchised, and more. These bills help strengthen our democracy and make our country better by making sure that access to the ballot is protected. I am proud to enthusiastically support the entire package" Source: Helen Butler, Executive Director of the Coalition for the People’s Agenda
• "Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, but in recent years we have seen a barrage of threats seeking to undermine our elections. It is critical that we respond to these threats head-on by ensuring that state and local governments have the resources needed to strengthen the administration of our elections, protect election officials on the frontlines, and provide all eligible voters with the opportunity to make their voices heard. From training more election workers to expanding polling places to making it easier for voters to cast ballots early and by mail, this legislation helps provide state and local governments with the funding they need to effectively administer elections and eliminate barriers to voting. I’ll keep fighting to make our democracy work for every American." Source: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, Minnesota)
• "Nothing is more important than the integrity of our democracy, and our election administration should be efficient and free from partisan interference. As a former voting rights attorney, I know that our free and fair elections are what set American democracy apart, and we must protect it. It’s why I am proud to help lead this bill that will invest in election security and help eligible voters cast their ballot." Source: Rep. Colin Allred (Democrat, Texas District 32)
- Nikema Williams Introduces Comprehensive Voting Rights Legislation Package (Press Release)
- Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Colleagues, Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Election Administration (Press Release)
- Klobuchar, Warren Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Election Administration (Press Release)
- Rep. Nikema Williams’ Open Secrets Page
